State, local health officials prepare for flu season
By BEN LEACH
Staff Writer, 609-272-7261
Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008
With the government calling for a record number of flu inoculations this year, New Jersey health officials are preparing to protect as many people from all different age groups from the flu as possible.According to data released from the CDC, New Jersey ranks in the middle when it comes to vaccinating adults over age 65. The rate of vaccination among older adults was 71.8 percent in 2006-07, or 25th in the country.That fits with the national average of 72 percent among that age group, but it is still short of the government's goal to have 90 percent vaccinated per year by 2010, a goal made easier to meet since Medicare Part B pays for flu shots. But despite public awareness, there are many older adults who don't believe a flu shot is necessary."I don't believe in it," said Irv Brownstein, 65, of Egg Harbor Township. "I've never gotten the flu. I don't want anything foreign in my body."But the state's Department of Health and Senior Services still is setting goals to get as many people vaccinated as possible. Since the state is sandwiched between two of the nation's largest cities - New York City and Philadelphia - and since many people travel to Atlantic City's casinos, people moving in and out of the state can bring back diseases.
"In New Jersey, being a hub of travel, we're certainly more vulnerable to the risk of influenza," said Dr. Tina Tana, acting deputy commissioner and state epidemiologist for the DHSS.While vaccine clinics don't begin until the beginning of October, county health departments already have their first stockpiles in hand and are just waiting for the clinics to begin to put them to use. Atlantic County's Division of Health already has hundreds of vaccinations ready to go."In general, if anyone wants to prevent the flu, the best thing to do is to get a flu shot," said Patricia Diamond, director of public health for Atlantic County's Division of Health.The CDC recommends that about 261 million Americans should get vaccinated every year, yet of the 140 million doses produced last year, only 113 million were used.In addition to older adults, the CDC recommends for the first time this year that children age 6 months to 18 years get vaccinated, unless they have a serious egg allergy.For adults between 18 and 65 years old, anyone who's immunocompromised - meaning they have an illness that weakens their body's ability to fight off diseases - should get the vaccine, as well as anyone over 50 and women who will be pregnant during the flu season. But healthy people with special circumstances also need the flu shot."I get it every year," said Gail Wilkinson, 51, of Egg Harbor Township. "I'm a nurse, so I have to work in a place that's more exposed (to the virus)."Diamond said that anyone who acts as a caregiver, whether they are nurses or adults taking care of their aging parents, should get the flu vaccine not only to protect themselves but to protect those around them who could face serious health complications if they get the flu virus.Influenza is unpredictable, but even though the last two years have been fairly mild, there's no telling what will happen this year, or even when it could hit New Jersey in higher numbers."We don't know when flu season is going to get into higher gear," Tan said. "We try to encourage people to get vaccinated early in the season to get optimal protection."In addition to numerous public flu shot clinics typically held at doctor's offices, pharmacies, and grocery and department stores, a Robert Wood Johnson-funded program called Vote and Vax will offer vaccines on Election Day at more than 1,000 polling places around the country.E-mail Ben Leach:BLeach@pressofac.com
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